Pit:The refs aren’t doing the Steelers’ investors any favors (I’m not talking about the Rooney’s) but Pittsburgh put some nice distance between them and the Ravens in the division with the win against the Chargers.

NYJ:Can stake a claim as the second best team in the AFC with an upset of the Titans on Sunday.

TB:Excellent performance rushing for 108 yards on Minnesota without Ernest Graham.Will need that type of total team effort from here on out.

Ari:Possess the best passing attack in the NFL.Get their toughest test of the season when the Giants roll into town Sunday.

Bal:Run defense didn’t live up to its billing may have been exposed by the Giants.Get a desperate Eagles team at home in next game; the smart money is usually on the more desperate team.

Was:The Redskins offense has looked really bad in losses against the Steelers and Cowboys.Need a big receiver who can stretch the field and open lanes for the short routes they like to run over the middle.

Atl:Played tough even in defeat against the Broncos.Can improve playoff chances with win at home against Carolina this week.

Mia:Find ways to win close games.Grudge match against New England a huge matchup.

NE:May have learned a lot about themselves in loss to Jets.Matt Cassell has improved nicely and looks comfortable throwing on the run.

Dal:Got a game they had to win at Washington.Schedule softens up with home outings against the 49ners and Seahawks before a brutal stretch run.

6) NYJ: Are probably the team that moved up the most in everyone’s rankings this week.Handing the ball to Thomas Jones probably gives them their best chance to win.<o:p></o:p>

7) TB: Get the nod over the Panthers and Falcons because they won head to head.<o:p></o:p>

8) Car: Their offense looked awful at the Raiders.Jake Delhomme’s MVP credentials took a blow.<o:p></o:p>

9) Atl: Matt Ryan, along with Joe Flacco, are rewriting the rules on how teams handle rookie QB’s.<o:p></o:p>

10) Ariz: Will probably lock up the division in a couple weeks.I still wouldn’t expect them to defeat a second place NFC East or NFC South opponent in a 1<sup>st</sup> round matchup though.<o:p></o:p>

11) Min: Brad Childress got off the snide and is now 1-7 against the Packers.<o:p></o:p>

12) Chi: Need Kyle Orton back in a hurry.I don’t care if Rex Grossman knows how to handle the media, he makes some of the worst decisions with the ball I’ve seen from a professional quarterback.<o:p></o:p>

13) Phi: Andy Reid’s play calling has cost the Eagles at least two games this season.Should be higher on this list.<o:p></o:p>

14) NE: Keep finding ways to win games.There is not a lot that separates the Patriots from the Jets even though they’re 8 spots below.<o:p></o:p>

15) Mia: Almost everyone has pegged the Falcons Mike Smith as coach of the year, I disagree.Tony Sparano has a team that was 1-15 last year in contention for the division title.<o:p></o:p>

16) Dal: We’ll know more about the Cowboys after the game in Washington Sunday night.<o:p></o:p>

17) GB: Are wasting a historically good pass defense with their inability to stop the run.<o:p></o:p>

18) SD: Probably the best team in an awful division.<o:p></o:p>

19) Jac: Haven’t really played badly in their losses, have yet to lose a contest by more than 7 points.<o:p></o:p>

20) Ind: Need to run the ball better to regain status as an AFC contender.Believe it or not, the 62 rushing yards they gained against the Steelers was a sign of improvement.<o:p></o:p>

21) Buf: Need to get more production from the running game. If that means benching Marshawn Lynch than so be it.<o:p></o:p>

22) NO: Outgained the Falcons by 160 yards and still lost.Sean Payton’s decision to forgo a field goal attempt and pass on 4<sup>th</sup> down with 1:04 in the 2<sup>nd</sup> quarter was absolutely boneheaded.<o:p></o:p>

These rankings combine statistical rankings, win/loss record, and h2h match-ups. It's interesting to see how much these differ from Prisco's. When I refer to scoring differential, I mean average points per game - average points allowed per game.

1. NYG: Have been as dominant as the Titans while playing a tougher schedule.

25. Cle: Derek Anderson is horrendous. That said, the timing of his demotion with only 2 days to prepare for a Thursday night game is plain idiotic. Why not wait until after Thursday and use the long week to get Brady Quinn ready?

26. Sea: Unlike some backup QB's in this league Seneca Wallace can play. Too bad Seattle has no offensive line nor wide receivers.

27. SF: Mike Singletary needs to keep his pants on.

28. Stl: No excuse to have a 29% 3rd down conversion rate with the talent they possess on offense.

29. Oak: Firing Lane Kiffin was a huge mistake. JaMarcus Russell needs to get the heck out of there to develop into a top level pro quarterback.

30. Cin: Have played better than their record suggests. Marvin Lewis may have saved his job for the remainder of the season with that win against the Jaguars.

31. KC: Tend to play tough at home and lay down on the road.

32. Det: Dan Orlovsky showed he can play. His injury came at the worst possible time for the Lions.